As we enter a new era of politics, we hope to see that Obama has the courage to fight the policies that Progressives hate. Will he have the fortitude to turn the economic future of America to help the working man? Or will he turn out to be just a pawn of big money, as he seems to be right now.

Friday, January 28, 2005

BAGHDAD, Jan 27 (IPS) - Some Iraqis are hoping for a new unityfollowing elections Jan. 30, but others seem convinced that existingdivisions will increase, leading possibly to civil war.

While hundreds of thousands of Kurdish people are traveling fromnorthern Iraq to Kirkuk to vote, many families in Baghdad are leavingthe city in fear of a huge wave of violence.

Violence continues to escalate throughout Iraq in the run-up to theelections. Clashes flared Thursday again between occupation forces andthe Iraqi resistance in Baghdad, Tikrit and Samarra.

One U.S. soldier was killed in an attack on a U.S. patrol in the Diyalaprovince north- east of Baghdad Thursday, and three soldiers were killedin Baquba town in the area, about 60km north-east of Baghdad.

Iraqis are running into difficult days. The gasoline shortage continuesto worsen. Many residents in Baghdad are struggling to pay the risingprices of heating gas, cooking gas and petrol.

Whether they intend to vote or not, many hope that elections will leadto better days, and that they will lead to more stability and unity.Others are skeptical.

"We hope these elections will bring unity between Shias, Sunnis and theKurds," said Abdel Aziz who works at a money exchange booth in Baghdad.

He said he did not know which list of political parties he will vote forbecause he found them confusing, but said the elections will not divideIraq. "Only the radicals have brought this divisive thinking," he said.

Many Iraqis are hopeful that despite the chaotic atmosphere around theelectoral process, stability and unity will follow.

"I pray the elections will bring us unity," said Ahmed Aziz, 25-year-oldowner of a small grocery stall in central Baghdad. "If it is alegitimate election, we hope they will bring peace." He paused beforeadding, "I hope it will be legitimate, but don't know how we will beable to tell for sure."

Hamoudi Abdulla, 35-year-old owner of a garments store out shopping forfood with a friend in Karrada district because he feared violence onpolling day, sounded optimistic. "The elections will unite us," he said.Asked if he was Shia or Sunni, he replied, "I am Iraqi."

His friend Hussam Hammad nodded in agreement. "There is no differenceamongst us," he added. "We are all Iraqi and we are all Muslims. Anelection cannot change this fact."

But other Iraqis fear the elections will only bring division betweenthem, by forcing them to make choices based on ethnicity such as aKurdish identity, and on the basis of Sunni and Shia sects.

"No way these elections will bring more unity between Iraqis," said36-year-old hotel owner Khassem Mohammed. "The differences betweenSunnis and Shia are over 1,400 years old. So how can this rushedelection help bring more unity?"

The hotel owner from Jadriya district of Baghdad said Shia politicalparties will gain power and Sunni parties will disappear after theelections.

"Saddam led us into to all of our previous wars, but this time Iraqisare going to battle themselves because they are now choosing sides," headded. "I fear civil war now." That is a view several Iraqis seem to hold.

Jassim Khalid who operates a street-side tea stall on Arasat Street inBaghdad has decided to boycott the elections because he feels, likeMohammed, that they will bring division.

"I'm not voting because I don't think the elections will bring unity toIraq," he said "In fact, they already appear to be doing the opposite."

A hotel guard said Iraqis have never been divided between Shia andSunni. "But these elections will cause a split because of the damnedpoliticians and the influence of the Americans."

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I enjoy photography and cats, and the people who enjoy photography and cats. Politics has become a second or third interest now that Tom Delay is going to jail and the GopPigS have lost the Congress. Even with the other big-business party, the Democrats, shape-shifting and pretending to stop the war, politics is a swamp that one should avoid.

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